This Great Grey Shrike was found at Stoke Common by Dave Ferguson early afternoon on 4th November 2022. The bird moved around the SW part of the main common eating insects, including one Bee. About ten birders managed to see the bird before dark.
There have been 23 sightings of this species in the county but none of these were at Stoke Common, which is perhaps the most suitable habitat for the species in the county.
Twelve days in Tenerife was very enjoyable but there was little time for birding. I did not take a telescope on this trip so had to reply on my Panasonic Micro 4/3rds camera. Hence the poor quality of some of the photos.
Berthlot's Pipit - Two seen in very arid area near Mount Teide.
Great Grey Shrike - Perched on a building close to the Parador near Mount Teide. There was no time to get closer.
Blue Chaffinch - At one of the regular sites for this species. Seen at Las Lajas picnic site on the road to Mount Teide.
Laurel Pigeons - Another endemic tick, this time on the NW coast as Mirador la Grimona. Rather distant and unfortunately no sign of any Bolle's Pigeons.
Spanish Sparrow - Plenty seen around the hotel. A male.
A female Spanish Sparrow. Indistinguishable from House Sparrow (which is not present on Tenerife).
African Blue Tit - Poor photos but a life tick for me. Seen in several places during the holiday.
Robin - A rubbish photo. Apparently split from European Robin.
Cory's Shearwater - About 50 seen on a Whale watching trip out of Playa de las Americas.
Cory's Shearwaters feeding behind a fishing boat.
Pilot Whales - Several seen at a regular site between Playa de las Americas and La Gomera where there is a deep trough. A young whale can be seen here.
After I visited Dorney Common on 30th Sep, a Little Stint was found the following day. It remained until 2nd Oct when I visited the site again. It was on the flooded area in the NE corner of the common.
Little Stint at Dorney Common.
It appeared to be waiting to see if the threat of some dogs
My daughter Katherine and I stayed at the Observatory at Spurn for three nights and visited most of the regular locations from Kilnsea Wetlands to part of the way along the point.
There were brisk northerly winds during the two full days which stopped most new migrants arriving but we were fortunate that a few interesting birds were present.
On arriving we checked out Kilnsea Wetlands and soon found the Red-necked Phalarope and Temminck's Stint that had been present for a few days. Also present was a Great White Egret, five Spoonbill, a Ruff, an Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Gull, Mediterranean Gulls and plenty of other common species.
Each day we spent an hour or two seawatching and managed to see quite a few Arctic Skuas, a Bonxie, some Guillemots, Razorbills, several Red-throated Divers and a few Little Gulls. My photography skills don't extend to distant birds on a seawatch but I did manage quite a few of the other birds as in the following photos.
The Canal Scrape Hide surprisingly produced two very nice birds on the same day. A Grey Phalarope arrived first and was quickly followed by a Temminck's Stint, which was presumably the same bird that had been on Kilnsea Wetlands.
Grey Phalarope - This bird stayed long enough for several dozen birders to see it. Photographed from the hide.
A short video clip of the Grey Phalarope
Temminck's Stint - Also photographed from the hide.
A short video clip of the Temminck's Stint at the Canal Scape Hide, Spurn Point.
Great White Egret - This individual dropped in but soon flew off towards the point.
A short video clip of the Great White Egret with Spoonbills feeding nearby
Spoonbills - The five birds mostly asleep.
A short video clip of a Spoonbill feeding very actively.
Redshank - Several hundred arrived at high tide to roost. Several were colour ringed at a site on the Humber.
Purple Sandpiper - A surprise visitor to the rocks and concrete blocks near to the Bluebell Car Park.
A short video clip of the Purple Sandpiper
Pied Flycatcher - Present for at least three days in Skye's Field.
Whinchat - North of Beacon Lane
Wheatear - This individual took a liking to the area in front of the seawatching hide and was there two days.
Brambling - A new arrival in Kew Villa garden on the morning we left.
Blackbird - a few eating the berries in Kew Villa garden.
A short video clip on a Sparrowhawk on top of the Sand Martin
